Marketing Environment

Addressing the Challenges Facing Starbucks

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Environment, Member Activities, Services/CRM, Strategy and Plans, video

In this mini case study, students explore the strategic challenges facing Starbucks, including its drift away from its core brand identity and its “third place” experience. Due to its expansion and diverse product offerings, Starbucks strengths have transformed into potential weaknesses. Students will review how operational inefficiencies, market pressures, and changing consumer behaviors have impacted the brand, and assess whether the proposed strategic changes will be effective. NOTE: This activity can also be run as a video case study, with an optional detailed video to show students.

Addressing the Challenges Facing Starbucks Review the Teaching Activity

Debate: Using Humor Appeals for Behavioral Change

Consumer Behavior, Discussion Exercises, Ethics, Marketing Environment, Member Activities, Social

This debate activity explores whether a humorous anti-drink-driving campaign can lead to meaningful behavior change or if it primarily generates attention. Students will review the case study and a focus group discussion to understand differing perspectives before forming groups to debate the topic. It is a variation of another teaching activity of Using Humor Appeals for a Social Marketing Cause.

Debate: Using Humor Appeals for Behavioral Change Review the Teaching Activity

Jaguar Rebranding and Repositioning Case Study

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Free Activities, Marketing Environment, New Product Process, Products and Brands, Segmentation and Positioning, Strategy and Plans

This case study examines the challenges of brand repositioning using Jaguar’s 2024 strategy. Students will analyze key marketing decisions, including the promotional video and their concept car launch. The case encourages critical thinking about creative messaging, brand management, strategy, DEI issues, and the risks of targeting new consumers while potentially alienating loyal customers.

Jaguar Rebranding and Repositioning Case Study Review the Teaching Activity

Marketing Ethics Game: Version 2

Ethics, Games and Quizzes, Marketing Environment, Member Activities, Role Plays, Strategy and Plans

This is a points-based game built around 10 ethical and social dilemmas (trade-offs). In each round, students need to make a strategic decision that will add/remove points for profits, customer satisfaction, staff satisfaction, and ethical behavior. But what is more important to your students – profit maximization or running a well-balanced business? Designed as a game to make ethical decisions fun, enjoyable, and more real-world based. Note: This is an updated version of the existing Marketing Ethics Decision Game.

Marketing Ethics Game: Version 2 Review the Teaching Activity

Redesigning the In-store Experience for Toys R Us

Case Study, Marketing Environment, Member Activities, Places and Channels, Strategy and Plans

This activity is a mix of retailing design and customer experience challenges – that is, how could have Toys R Us modified their in-store offering and design for continued success – plus it also reinforces the impact of marketing environment factors and how they can derail a long-term successful strategy.

Redesigning the In-store Experience for Toys R Us Review the Teaching Activity

Do Firms Have a Social Responsibility? (Discussion Task)

Discussion Exercises, Ethics, Marketing Environment, Member Activities, Social

Students are presented with three scenarios where large brands or industries are expected to be more socially responsible. But is that the essence of marketing? Indeed, do we need to rethink the definition of modern-day marketing? This is a discussion task variation of the debate task of the same name.

Do Firms Have a Social Responsibility? (Discussion Task) Review the Teaching Activity

Scroll to Top